MERVYN STEWKESBURY

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Weymouth, Poole and Swindon promoter Mervyn Stewkesbury who has passed away at the age of 89.

Mervyn initially promoted at Weymouth at Radipole Lane before moving the Wildcats to Poole in the mid-1980s, and then ran the club as the Pirates alongside Pete Ansell for over a decade.

During that time, he was also Chairman of the old National League prior to the sport’s amalgamation in the early 1990s, and had a spell as promoter of Swindon.

Wolverhampton promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “Mervyn was a hugely influential figure in British Speedway.

“He was a very clever man with a real love for speedway, and it’s a sad loss for the sport.

“Ironically back in the early days we were often at loggerheads when the National League operation was based in Weymouth whereas we were in Rugby at the time, but over time that was all resolved.

“I remember when Poole raced at Wolverhampton, he used to turn up in a 45-foot carrier vehicle and I used to joke with him that I’d cleared him a special place to park!

“I honestly believe that without his involvement, Poole Speedway would not exist as it does today. He rescued the club and along with Pete Ansell they paved the way for them to become probably the most successful club in the sport.

“It’s another giant of speedway lost, and I was very saddened to hear the news.”

Former Poole and Swindon rider Alun Rossiter was one of Stewkesbury’s first major signings at Wimborne Road, and has fond recollections of his time racing for him.

Rossiter said: “Mervyn bought me for around £10,000, and Swindon wanted that money to buy Andrew Silver.

“So I went down to Poole in 1989 and we won the league that year, and then in 1990 and in 1994 by which time it was Division One – and we also won the KO Cup as well.

“Poole were a strong side and there was always plenty of hype when we raced the likes of Wimbledon. I really believe Mervyn started all that off with Poole, leading to all the success they enjoyed in later years, and personally it was the most successful and enjoyable time in my career.

“As a person he was always laughing, joking and messing about, he was a brilliant prankster – but he was ruthless as well, and that’s why he was a successful businessman.

“He was also very generous, for example when we won the league he’d take us all abroad, and they were great times!

“Mervyn and Pete Ansell were like a double-act. The great thing was that if he agreed to something, you got it, you didn’t even need it in writing. His word was his bond, and he was a great promoter.”

British Speedway sends its condolences to Mervyn’s family and friends.

Photo credit: JOHN SOMERVILLE COLLECTION